Definition

Proper noun: * Family Iguanodontidae: A taxonomic family of extinct, large, herbivorous ornithopod dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period. This family is characterized by features such as a thumb spike, hoof-like claws on the other fingers, and teeth similar to those of modern iguanas.

Usage Notes

• "Family Iguanodontidae" is a scientific term used primarily in paleontology, zoology, and taxonomy. It is always treated as a singular proper noun.
• It refers to the collective group of dinosaurs classified under this family name, most famously including the genus .

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Fossil evidence places the family Iguanodontidae within the larger group Ornithopoda.
  • The discovery helped clarify the evolutionary relationships within family Iguanodontidae.

Advanced Usage

• Taxonomic Context: The term is used in formal biological classification to denote a specific rank (family) in the hierarchy: Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Suborder > Family (Iguanodontidae) > Genus > Species.
  • The specimen was reclassified from the family Iguanodontidae to a more basal iguanodontian clade.

Variants and Related Words

• Iguanodontid (n.): A member of the family Iguanodontidae; an iguanodontid dinosaur.
  • The trackway was made by a large iguanodontid.
• Iguanodontian (adj./n.): A broader term referring to any dinosaur within the infraorder or clade Iguanodontia, which includes the family Iguanodontidae and its relatives.
  • Hadrosaurs are considered advanced iguanodontians.

Synonyms

• Iguanodontids: A common synonym when referring to the members of this family collectively.

Different Meanings

This term has a single, specific meaning in scientific nomenclature. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.

Noun

1. iguanodons